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Killing the Baby Seals | Military Cadence
(Lyrics & History)

The U.S. Military’s "Jodies" are more than chants—they create rhythm, build unity, and strengthen morale, reflecting the teamwork and tradition at the heart of military life.

Killing the Baby Seals reflects a blend of rhythm, satire, and exaggerated storytelling to entertain service members while maintaining synchronized movement. The lyrics tell a fictional tale of a Soldier who resorts to hunting baby seals as his livelihood. The chant incorporates vivid imagery and humor that might be seen as dark or absurd (aka perfect for the military). 

Lyrics

Killing the Baby Seals (arp arp)

Way up north where the air gets cold

We're running out of money and we're running out of gold

So now I earn my living

Killing the baby seals (arp arp)

You can hit `em with a bat, you can hit `em with a brick

You can poke `em in the eye with your eye pokin’ stick

That's how I earn my living

Killing the baby seals (arp arp)

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Listen to this cadence:

Song Name: Killing The Baby Seals
Album Name: Cadences Volume 4
by Jonathan Michael Fleming

You can slash `em in the head, you can slash `em in the throat

And throw `em in the back of your fishing boat

That's how I earn my living

Killing the baby seals (arp arp)

My wife and my kids, they hate me

The Army just won't take me

Because I earn my living

Killing the baby seals (arp arp)

DISCLAIMERS:

The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military.

The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.

Lyrics

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